The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-30

the old Union Baptist church, situated
on Walnut street, between Third and
Fourth streets. After doing some mis-
sionary work with whoever CHANGED to
come along, we settled Rev. William
West, a very able, dignifed, clerical
looking preacher, who gave us some
prominence. Mr.. West was educated
in London for an Episcopal minister.
His father was also an Episcopal cler-
gyman, and on one occasion while on a
visit to his son, preached for us. About
1889 or 40, Rev. John A. Gurley came
among us and bought out the Sentinel
afterward called the Star in the West
Br. Gurley made success of the old
Star. In the meantime he became the
pastor of the First Church. He was
the most popular pulpit orator in
this city at that time, and in the
West, for he was known all over
Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Mich
igan. The church under him grew
rapidly. We tore down the old build
ing and built fine large brick and stone
church, sixty by ninety, and hardly
ever large enough to hold the audience.
Debates were then common. George
Rogers, Smith, Gurley and E. M. Pin
gree were all debaters. Mr.. Pingree
held a discussion with DR.. N. L. Rice,
of the Second Presbyterian Church.
1t was held in the Millerite Temple,
the largest building in the city. Two
or three thousand persons were present,
| and there was wonderful excitement all
over the city. Mr.. Pingree was a mere
boy, and yet he battled successfully
with the great Presbyterian giant, as
DR.. Rice was held. Dr. Rice agreed to
join Mr.. Pingree in publishing the dis
cussion, but he found his opponent too
much for him, and so Pingree published
it on his own responsibility.
Pingree was young man of great
promise. A fine church was built for
him in Louisville, where he labored
faithfully for some years, to a large
congregation of believers. He married
there, and was soon after attacked with
consumption and died. After his death,
the church seemed to die with him.
occasionally would go down and preach
there; but / found the friends very
much discouraged. We have never had
church there since.
About this time Rev. John Newland
Maffit, Of the Methodist church, trav-
eled all over the country as revivalist.
He was a great pulpit orator. No church
could hold half Of the people that came
to hear him. On one occasion, Brs. Cur
ley, Rogers, Pingree and myself were
at old Wesley chapel. After Maffit
had finished one of his brilliant efforts,
and the benediction was pronounced,
Mr.. Gurley arose on one of the benches
and asked if he could give notice that
on Sunday evening he would reply to
the discourse just delivered ! mo, no,
no." came from the ministersl An old
father in the pulpit pulled down his
eye glasses, looking at Gurley, cried
out, "Why, he is nothing but boy p
1t caused great excitement, so much
so, they called the meeting to order to
pray the devil out of the house.
Well, Sunday night came, and such q
crowd. The church was packed, win.
dows and doors, and Walnut street
from Third to Fourth, five times as
many as could get in the large church
Gurley acquitted himself grandly. The
church wouldn't hold the people after
ward. Many were added to the church.
Everything was glorious.
Soon after this, Rev. Abel G. Thomas
came, and this addition made US strong
not only in the city, but all over the,
country. l had regular circuit in those
days, Delhi, Sharon, Montgomery
Newtown, Mt. Carmel, Bank Lick, Cow
ington. l served at funerals even as
far as Chillicothe. There is where and
when my work commenced in 1910.
Since the war, my work has been grad
ually growing less; for fourteen years
was superintendent, and organized the
first church Sunday school. / gave the
first public exhibition of Sunday in
Cincinnati. We marched under blue
silk banners, First Universalist Sun
day-school'' in gold letters. We marched
along Fourth strees to the Newport
ferry, over the river, to what was then
known as Mayo's orchard, where we had
a table 100 feet long, loaded with the
good things served by our friends.
We numbered $50 scholars.
About 1852, Rev. G. w. Quinby sue
ceeded Br. Thomas. He was very in
dustrious as pastor.
The Second Universalist Society start
ed with good prospects.
Br. Gurley and myself leased the
southwest corner Of Sixth and Mound
streets, on which was a large frame
building, with the privilege of purchas-
ing any time within hundred years.
Br. Gurley being very busy, left it all
with me. So remodeled the building,
or had it done, and made nice COM
Portable church, seating about three or
| four hundred We had soon tha housa
full, and after the church and Sunday